He's got to be nervous at the lack of experience the Buckeyes will send out on Saturday, Aug. 31, against visiting Buffalo, doesn't he?

"Nope," the energetic second-year assistant said Monday when asked if there is any concern.

Ohio State knew it had one starting cornerback position to fill this season when Travis Howard finished his senior campaign last fall. But when redshirt junior Bradley Roby was recently suspended for a game for his part in an altercation in an Indiana bar this summer, it left another void -- albeit a potentially temporary one.

That has left junior Doran Grant as the lone experienced cornerback on the roster. Sophomore Armani Reeves has emerged as the projected starter at cornerback opposite Grant.

The next line of defense comes from true freshmen Eli Apple, Gareon Conley and Cameron Burrows.

Gulp.

"We're going to be good regardless of who's in there," Coombs said matter-of-factly. "I appreciate the question, but I want to make sure I'm very clear. We're going to be very, very good no matter who is in there."

Grant does have some big-game play under his belt. He had 19 tackles and an interception last season in 12 games of action.

The 5-foot-11, 191-pounder isn't worried, either.

"We've got great players," Grant said. "We've got to train them up, coach them up and get them ready to play Aug. 31.

"I think they'll do a good job. We've got two more weeks to get them ready."

It appears as though Reeves (5-10, 197) has successfully answered the call. He played primarily on special teams last season, totalling two tackles.

Said Coombs of Reeves, "I'm excited to see him play."

Coombs isn't the only one.

Reeves said there is a long list of family and friends from his home in West Roxbury, Mass., who are eager, too.

As is he.

"It means a lot," said Reeves of his opportunity to step in for Roby, who had 63 tackles, two interceptions and 17 pass breakups last year. "I'm from Massachusetts, and you'd never expect a kid from Boston to play for Ohio State. It's a very different experience."

Many observers would think the tough part for Reeves is, no matter how well he plays, he is going to lose his starting position to Roby.

Reeves is all right with that.

"He is one of the best in the country, if not the best," said Reeves of Roby. "When he comes back, I'm still going to do the same thing I've been doing all the time, and that's just working hard. If I'm on the field at corner, I'm going to go hard. If I'm not and I'm going to be on special teams, I'm going to go hard."

The trio of freshmen has opened the eyes of Coombs, Grant and Reeves -- and that's probably just a short list of impressed people.

Apple (6-1, 188), Conley (6-2, 170) and Burrows (6-0, 202) are looked at as the future of the Ohio State defensive backfield.

Because of the current circumstances, including the recent career-ending surgery to junior defensive back Adam Griffin, the future might be arriving sooner than later.

"They're learning," Coombs said of the three young corners. "They're learning how to get yelled at. They're learning to have some resiliency. And the guy that makes it through that the best is the guy that's going to play the most.

"I expect them all to play this year."

Grant said all the cornerbacks, himself included, are getting a crash-course learning session from the Ohio State offense. The Buckeyes' offense, with Heisman Trophy candidate Braxton Miller and a full stable of fast receivers, are pushing the young defensive backs daily.

Said Coombs, "We're getting tested every day. I tell you what, that offense on the other side of the ball is special. It's a really good experience every single day."

Coombs also singled out Roby for his positive contributions, even after learning he would be sitting out the opener.

"I tell you this, when you walk into my meeting room, he's a leader every day," Coombs said. "He communicates very well with the younger players. He's a teacher. He's a professional. He handles his business like a pro. He watches film like a pro. And I appreciate that very, very much."